Latest news with #LACounty
Auto Blog
3 days ago
- Auto Blog
Street Takeover Participants & Spectators Could Soon Be Hit With Steep Fines
Doubling the fine — and applying it spectators — is L.A. County's latest tactic for quelling late-night sideshows before someone else gets hurt. L.A. County wants to curb the chaos Street takeovers — where crowds block off intersections so drivers can pull stunts like donuts, burnouts, and drifts — have become a hallmark of Southern California's underground car culture. But now, L.A. County is drawing a hard line. A new proposal would double the fine for participating in or even watching a takeover, raising it from $500 to $1,000, the Los Angeles Times reported. The idea isn't just to hit drivers in the wallet; it's also aimed at the crowd. Spectators fuel the vibe, create cover for drivers, and generate social media content that keeps the trend alive. By making it costly just to show up, officials hope to tamp down the spectacle altogether. The scene's not just sketchy — it's getting deadly Takeovers might look like Fast & Furious-style fun, but they've turned increasingly dangerous. County officials point to a rise in fatal crashes, shootings, and torched vehicles tied to these events. In some neighborhoods, families say they hear engines bouncing off rev limiters just blocks from their front doors. Supervisor Holly Mitchell, whose district includes cities like Compton, Inglewood, and Carson, introduced the measure and stated that the issue is personal for many residents. In one recent tragedy, a woman in Pomona was killed during a suspected street-racing crash. Stories like that have become too common. The crackdown extends to your feed The proposed ordinance doesn't stop with street-level enforcement. It also calls on social media platforms to enforce their own community standards and remove content that promotes illegal activity, specifically, takeover clips that rack up views and ad dollars. Officials want platforms to demonetize those videos and cut off the oxygen that keeps the culture going viral. A surge in takeovers, but only in some places Interestingly, while street takeover reports have dropped in most of L.A. County, Mitchell's district saw a sharp rise — from 191 incidents between July and September to 297 from October through December. County officials credit some of the decline elsewhere to a coordinated task force that includes law enforcement, city leaders, and community groups working to intervene early and redesign problem intersections. Mitchell's district is still playing catch-up, and that's part of why she's pushing hard for tougher penalties. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Why car enthusiasts everywhere should care If you're a car enthusiast, the rise in takeovers and the resulting crackdown might hit close to home, even if you're not in Southern California. Similar events have popped up across the country, and cities are watching each other to figure out what works. San Jose, Atlanta, Chicago, and Houston are all places that have seen sideshows spark community backlash and new legislation. Infiniti G37 drifting takeover Final thoughts The L.A. County Board of Supervisors gave the proposed fine increase a thumbs-up this week, but it still needs one more vote to become law. If approved, the new penalties could go into effect later this year. There's also talk of broader reforms — everything from hardened centerlines at takeover hotspots to possibly creating safe, legal alternatives for car enthusiasts. For now, though, the message is clear: if you're planning to show up at a sideshow in L.A., even just to watch, you might want to think twice. Your next post could come with a $1,000 price tag. About the Author Elijah Nicholson-Messmer View Profile
CBS News
7 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
LA County union workers arrested after interrupting Board of Supervisors meeting
Tensions over a recent contract battle between Los Angeles County and its workers spilled over at Tuesday's Board of Supervisors meeting. Several members of the Service Employees International Union, which represents the employees, were arrested when they refused to leave. "We're trying to send a message to the LA County Board of Supervisors," SEIU member Raymond Meza said. In late April, union workers staged a walkout that lasted several days. While talks have progressed since then, union leaders claim county officials are asking for unfair provisions. "The main sticking point is that the county wants to put in poison pills such as negotiating wages with us but having the unilateral ability to take it away," Meza said. "What is the point of doing this negotiation process if they can just undermine it whenever they want." The county said it's offering workers a fair deal that includes a $5,000 bonus, an additional bonus and cost-of-living adjustments. Supervisors said the county is going through one of the worst financial crises because of billions of dollars in sexual assault claims, the recent wildfires and the uncertain economic outlook. Union leaders said even with this offer the county is not bargaining in good faith. "After over 60 days without a contract, we want this settled now," Meza said.
Auto Blog
29-05-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Is the 2025 Toyota Mirai Worth It? Hydrogen Car Pros and Cons
The 2025 Toyota Mirai promises zero emissions and sleek design—but limited infrastructure and high fuel costs raise big questions. Here's what buyers should know. Hydrogen Infrastructure Limits Toyota's Mirai Potential Is hydrogen back? Well, Toyota thinks so and has staked a sizeable portion of its future on the Mirai fuel-cell sedan. Yet just 74 U.S. pumps feel like an oasis in California's desert—drivers outside L.A. and the Bay Area must reroute for every fill. Dreaming of coast-to-coast freedom? Half the Golden State still can't find a nozzle without a detour. Can this new run at consumer-oriented hydrogen FCVs be more than a mirage? Location package with matched HDRI — Source: Toyota Real-World Range and High Fuel Costs Raise Concerns Toyota's 402-mile EPA claim for the Mirai dazzled in March, but real-world drivers settle for closer to 320 miles under mixed conditions. Paying $36 per kilogram of H₂ in California pushes your per-mile cost past $0.60. That's enough to make any commuter flinch when the pump light winks on. By comparison, EV drivers pay about $0.05 per mile charging at home or roughly $0.10 per mile at public DC fast stations, while gasoline drivers incur around $0.14 per mile at $3.50/gal and 25 mpg. Fast Fills, Long Waits: The Hydrogen Refueling Catch EV owners endure 30-minute DC fast stops yet console themselves with having access to 30,000+ U.S. fast chargers. Mirai fans brag about a five-minute fill, then cross fingers for a working station, and then hope for no lines up ahead. That five-minute thrill can morph into a half-hour headache when infrastructure vanishes. Source: Toyota Toyota Bets Big on Hydrogen with Next-Gen Tech and Investments Toyota's third-gen fuel-cell system ups efficiency by 20% and cuts stack costs 30%, backed by $200 million in new plants and 5,600+ patents. Big rigs, buses and ships eye hydrogen's energy density where batteries buckle. By skipping 20,000-lb battery packs, fuel-cell semis reclaim precious payload capacity—a lifeline for fleet operators that's already spurring hydrogen-corridor pilots from coast to coast. As trucking giants and ports install high-capacity H₂ pumps, Mirai owners could reap the benefits of the very infrastructure designed to keep big rigs rolling. Where the semis go, so too Mirai. Interestingly, Wall Street is betting the FCV market will explode from $2.5 billion today to $30 billion by 2032, seasoning Toyota's multi-hundred-million-dollar wager. Despite earlier setbacks by other automakers, analysts now view Toyota as the true first mover in the hydrogen era. The Mirai has become a big bet, one that even Wall Street is backing. Source: Toyota Incentives Sweeten the Deal but Risks Remain for Buyers Toyota's Mirai isn't just a concept. The second-gen Mirai has been on sale since late 2020, and the all-new 2025 model went on sale this spring, exclusively in California (only where hydrogen stations exist). You can order one now, with Toyota even sweetening the deal with up to $15,000 off complimentary hydrogen through 2031 or six years of free fuel. Owning a Mirai today means tying your daily commute, resale value and weekend escapes to Toyota's still-sketchy pump network. If you crave silent, zero-emission miles and you're ready to pay a premium for pioneering status, schedule a test drive now. Just prepare your route around the stations that will make or break your hydrogen promise. Source: Toyota
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Thousands of wildfire victims are having tax refunds sent back - Here's how to get your money
The Brief Thousands of victims of January's Palisades and Eaton fires are entitled to some money from Los Angeles County. County officials have started mailing checks, but many are getting sent back, because the mailing addresses are for destroyed buildings. Anyone who's eligible for money from the county should update their address on the LA County Assessor's website. LOS ANGELES COUNTY, Calif. - If you lost your home in the Palisades or Eaton fires earlier this year, Los Angeles County may owe you some money. The county has started sending out checks, but thousands are being sent back. FOX 11 spoke with LA County Assessor Jeff Prang about how you can make sure you get your money. The backstory The Palisades and Eaton fires destroyed more than 16,000 structures between the Pacific Palisades, Pasadena and Altadena communities. After the fires, the Assessor's Office re-evaluated the value of properties in the disaster zones. Many properties saw their value lowered, entitling owners to tax refunds. SUGGESTED: California lawmakers announce new legislation supporting inmate firefighters Thousands of checks have already gone out, but fire victims can also apply for relief on the Assessor's website, Dig deeper The County Auditor-Controller has already sent out thousands of checks to those who are entitled to some money, but there's one big problem. In many cases, the address of record is the destroyed property, so the Post Office is sending the checks back, marking them undeliverable. SUGGESTED: PCH is back open, and Malibu businesses couldn't be happier Prang says they've already gotten some of the checks back, and he expects thousands more to follow. The fix is simple. All you have to do is update your mailing address on the Assessor's Office website at The Source Information in this story is from an interview with Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang, the county Assessor's website, and City News Service.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Yahoo
8 arrested; over $1.3 million worth of stolen goods found in L.A. County
Eight suspects were arrested after authorities discovered over $1.3 million worth of stolen retail merchandise in Los Angeles County. The bust operation was conducted by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department in partnership with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Authorities executed search warrants at several undisclosed locations where they discovered $1,359,226 worth of stolen merchandise taken during cargo thefts. Many of the items appeared to be stored in a large warehouse. Merchandise found at the locations included 288 electric bikes, many boxes of Sony televisions, A/C units, L'Oreal beauty products, Kenwood speakers, coffee beans, FlavCity Electrolyte mix, hot chocolate, and more. Eight suspects were arrested in connection with the mass cargo thefts that investigators said occurred in L.A. County and across other states. The suspects' identities were not released as the case remains under investigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
